Kaleo Proves a Safe Bet for L.A.

Funny how things work out sometimes. The Avengers were perfectly content with Tony Graziani, a first-team All-Arena quarterback who seemingly could do no wrong -- except when it came to the playoffs, where the team sputtered in the first round three consecutive seasons.

But Graziani, who holds every team career passing record, parlayed his regular-season success into a three-year, $500,000 contract with the Philadelphia Soul that was out of the Avengers’ price range.

Enter journeyman John Kaleo, three inches shorter, two years older and considerably less flashy than his predecessor.

“Graz had a nice touch on the deep ball,” said Avenger defensive specialist Damen Wheeler. “He was going for the home run pretty much every time. Kaleo, if he’s not sure about the deep ball, he’ll check it down. He’ll go for the safe play.”

The dependable route has worked wonders for the Avengers (10-5), who have clinched their first Western Division title since joining the league in 2000 and could tie their franchise record for wins today by defeating the Grand Rapids Rampage (3-12) in Grand Rapids, Mich., in their regular-season finale.

“I’ve had a history of winning, so it’s nothing new to me,” said Kaleo, who led Tampa Bay to an ArenaBowl title in 2003. “But we have some other guys on this team who have been in championships and won playoff games. I think it’s just a good mix; it could be me or Graziani or someone else in this position and I still think the team would succeed like it has this year.”

Kaleo said he feels at home with the Avengers, his ninth team in 12 seasons, and his statistics reflect his comfort level. He has completed 61.3% of his passes for 3,827 yards and 74 touchdowns. He has thrown nine interceptions, including two in his last 230 passing attempts.

Graziani has posted similar numbers -- he has completed 59.7% of his passes for 3,906 yards and 84 touchdowns -- with one glaring difference. His team is 6-9.

“They both do a good job of taking care of the ball. Neither one of them throws a lot of interceptions,” Avenger Coach Ed Hodgkiss said. “They’re smart with it, and that’s what wins football games.”

Receiver Greg Hopkins said Kaleo, who is listed at 6 feet and 205 pounds, has compensated for his lack of size by quickly mastering the offensive schemes. It should come as no surprise that Kaleo and Hodgkiss, who oversees the offense, are usually on the same page because they were assistant coaches together at Montgomery (Md.) Junior College in 1994.

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Rookie defensive specialist Antuan Simmons will sit out his second consecutive game because of a bruised foot but is expected to return for the playoff opener May 29 at Staples Center.... The Avengers will play host to Las Vegas, Chicago or San Jose in a first-round game.

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TONIGHT

at Grand Rapids, 4:30 PDT, FSN West 2

Site -- Centennial Wireless Field at Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Radio -- 570, 1330.

Records -- Avengers 10-5, Rampage 3-12.

Record vs. Rampage (2004) -- 1-0.

Update -- Coach Ed Hodgkiss said the Avengers have two incentives to win their regular-season finale: to build momentum for the playoffs, and to possibly gain home-field advantage throughout the postseason. An Avenger victory coupled with a Colorado loss would give the Avengers a second-round home game should they advance. A victory would also give the Avengers a five-game winning streak, tying a franchise record. Grand Rapids has won two of its last three games.